Syrian rebels declare 13-hour curfew in Damascus

Syrian rebels have declared a 13-hour curfew in the capital Damascus from 4 p.m. local time on Sunday until  Monday, according to a statement by their Military Operations Command on Telegram.

The Syrian capital is witnessing a significant armed rebel presence and continuous celebratory gunfire, live videos showed.

A message on Syrian state television earlier called on people not to “terrify” civilians by firing weapons in public squares.

Presidential palaces have also been ransacked, and heavy traffic has been reported in the capital.

Syria’s foreign ministry and its embassies abroad will remain operational to serve Syrians, the foreign ministry said in its first statement since the rebel takeover of Damascus.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates in the Syrian Arab Republic and its diplomatic missions abroad will remain committed to serving all fellow citizens and managing their affairs,” it said on Sunday.

“Today, a new page is being written in the history of Syria inaugurating a national covenant and charter to unite Syrians and does not divide them,” the statement said.